Leveling device for traction-engines.



J. P. MCGUIRE. LEVELING DEVICE FOR TRACTION ENGINES. APPLIOATION FILEDMAY 14, 1913.

1,108,203. Patented Aug. 25, 1914.

II/III Inventor,

Attorneys.

Witnesses JOHN FRANCIS MoGUIR-E, OF FENDER, NEBRASKA.

. LEVELING DEVICE FOR TRACTION-ENGINES.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Aug. 25, 1914.

Application filed May 14, 1913. Serial No. 767,697.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JOHN FRANCIS Mo- Gunm, acitizen of the United States, residing at Ponder, in" the county ofThurston and State of Nebraska, have invented a new and useful LevelingDevice for Traction- Engines, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention appertains to a leveling device for tractionengines and other vehicles, and is particularly designed for permittingthe boiler to be leveled in order to eradicate the numerous objectionsexisting in ordinary traction engines when standing on an uneven orinclined surface.'

It is the object of the present invention to provide a novel andimproved standard for supporting the front end of the boiler on thefront or steering axle, and being so constructed and operable as topermit of the vertical adjustment of the'front end of the boiler inorder that it may be leveled'under the various conditions.

Another object of the present invention is r to provide novel means forpermitting the front or steering axle to vibrate vertically due tounevenness in' 'the surface traversed, and to permit the axle to bereadily swung or turned for purpose of steering the traction engine orvehicle.

The present invention also comprehends the provision of a device of thenature indicated which shall be comparatively simple, compact,substantial, durable and inexpensive in construction, as well asconvenient, efficient and serviceable in its use.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will be'apparent asthe description proceeds, the present invention resides in thecombination and arrangement of parts and in the details of constructionhereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes inthe precise embodiment of the invention canbe made with in the scope ofwhat is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention. 3

The invention has been illustrated inits preferred embodiment in theaccompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 1s a fragmental side elevation ofa traction engine embodying the improved device. Fig. 2 is a vertical orlongitudinal section ofthe adjusting device, and'Fig. 3 is a bottom viewof the standard.

As illustrated in Fig. 1, the traction englue to which the device isapplied, embodies the boiler B, the front or steering axle A having thesteering wheels ournaled upon its ends, although it is understood thatthe present device is applicable to other portable steam engines or thelike.

In carrying out the invention, there is provided the standard 1embodying the telesoopic parts 2 and 3, the outer part 2 being in theform of a sleeve or being tubular, and the inner part-3 also beingtubular or having a longitudinal bore. The part or section 3 of thestandard is uppermost, and carries a head 4 at itsupper end adapted tobe bolted or otherwise secured to the bottom of the boiler B adjoiningits front end. The lower part or the sleeve 2 is provided with the apronor hell 5 at its lower end, and which is preferably integral'therewith.A nut 6. is engaged within the lower end of the member 3, and a threadedspindle or screw 7 is threaded through the nut 6 and is provided at itslower end with a spherical head 8 engaging within a depression 9provided in a block 10 secured on the bolster 10. A cap 11 is secured onthe block 10 and engages over the head 8, so that the spindle or screw 7and block 1O have a balland socket joint. The bolster 1 0 is providedwith a lower longitudinal groove or channel adapted to engage over theaxle A, itbeing understood that the Ibolster 10 applicable to variousaxles, I

An auxiliary or supplemental axle 12 is secured on the block 10"over-the capll and 'is arranged at quadrature to the axle A orlongitudinally of the engine. The auxiliary axle 12 has the wheels orrollers 13 journaled toits ends, these wheels or 'bearin engaging therim of the apron or bell 5 and thereby constraining the axle fromvibrating rearwardly and forwardly, but permit ting the axle to vibratevertically and to rotate or swing in a horizontal plane'fo'r put" posesof steering.

A shaft 14 is journaled through one side of the apron or bell 5, abushing 15 being fitted through the side of the apron or hell for thepassage of the shaft 14, and to the inner end of the shaft 141, there iskeyed a pinion 16. The inner end of the shaft 1 f is supported by meansof a chordal bar 17 secured at its ends to the apron or hell 5 andreceiving the end of the shaft 1% at a central point. The pinion 16 isconnected with a crown wheel or gear 18 secured to the spindle or shaft7 within the apron or bell 5, the crown wheel or gear being keyed orotherwise secured to the spindle or shaft 7 to rotate therewith.

The sleeve 2 is provided with a longitudinal slot 19 in its rear side,and a brace 20 is secured at one end to the lower end of the member 3andat its other end to the bottom of the boiler in rear of the head 4 thebrace 20 passing through the slot 19. It will be noted that the brace 20not only serves to brace the standard 1, but also constrains the sleeveor lower part 2 of the standard from rotating with respect to the member8. j

The outer end of the shaft 14% is squared or otherwise fashioned for theengagement of a suitable crank or other actuating member for manuallyrotating the shaft 14, although, if desired, the shaft 1d may be gearedor otherwise operably connected to a hand wheel at the rear end or otherportion of the traction engine for conveniently adjusting the devicewhile the traction engine is moving orin transit.

In use, it will be evident that the standard 1 effectively supports theboiler from the axle, and is readily applicable in various tractionengines or other vehicles, the ball and socket joint between the shaftor screw 7 and the bolster permitting the ends of the axle to vibratedue to unevenness in the soil or underlying surface, and also permittingthe axle to be turned for purpose of steering. It is to be noted,however, that the axle is constrained from vibrating rearwardly andforwardly due to the fact that the wheels or rollers of the.supplemental or auxiliary axle 12' engage the rim of the apron or hell5. The rollers 13, although they prevent the vibration of the axle, asspecified, permit the axle to readily turn or swing in a horizontalplane, and will also permit the axle to vibrate vertically. The weightof the boiler will be transmitted to the axle through the medium of themembers 3 and 7, the sleeve or member 2 being constrained againstlongitudinal movement with respect to the shaft orscrew 7, for thereason that the crown wheel or gear 18 has its rim or periphery disposedbetween the pinion 16 and lower end sleeve 2 proper. When it is desiredto adjust the boiler, it is merely necessary to rotate the shaft 14 inthe proper direction, which in turn will rotate the screw 7, and thisscrew in screwing through the nut 6, will either raise the member 3 orpermit the same to gravitate, to thereby adjust the boiler as desired.

The many disadvantages incident to permitting the boiler to standunlevel, are well known in the art, and need not be itemized, it beingnoted that the objections or disadvantages are overcome by the provisionof the present device, and it being noted that the present deviceprovides for those characteristics most desirable.

Particular attention is directed to the fact that the ball and socketjoint between the screw 7 and the bolster will permit the screw to bereadily rotated, the ball and socket joint reducing the friction to aminimum.

What is claimed is 1. In a device of the character described, a bolster,a pair of members adjustably connected, one of the said members having aball. and socket joint with the bolster, and the other member beingattachable to an object to support the same, a sleeve telescoping overthe last mentioned member and movable longitudinally with the firstmentioned of said members and having a bell at its lower end, andbearings carried by the bolster at quadrature to the bolster andengaging the rim of the hell.

2. In a device of the character described, a bolster, a screw looselyconnected thereto, a supporting member in threaded engagement with thescrew, a sleeve telescoping over the said member having a bell at itslower end, a gear secured to the screw within the bell, a shaftjournaled through one side of the bell, and a gear secured to the innerend of the shaft and meshing with the aforesaid gear.

' 3. In a device of the character described, a bolster, a screw looselyconnected thereto, a supporting member in threaded engagement with thescrew, a sleeve telescoping over the said member and having a bell atits lower end, bearings carried by the bolster on an axis at quadratureto the bolster, and engaging the rim of the bell, and means passingthrough one side of the bell and operative-1y connected to the screw forrotating the same;

4. In a device of the character described, a bolster, a screw looselyconnected thereto, a supporting member in threaded engagement with thescrew, a sleeve telescoping over the aforesaid member having a lowerbell, an auxiliary axle carried by the bolster at quadrature thereto,rollers jOllll'ittlQCl to the ends of the auxiliary axle and engagingthe rim of the bell, a gear secured to the screw within the bell, ashaft journaled through one side of the bell, and a gear slot, and meanscarried by the sleeve and secured to the inner end of the shaft andoperably connected to the screw for rotatintermeshing with the aforesaidgear. ing the same.

5. In combination with a boiler, a bol- In testimony that I claim theforegoing 15 ster, a screw loosely connected thereto, a as my own, Ihave hereto afiixed my signasupporting member in threaded engagementture in the presence of two witnesses.

with the screw and secured to the boiler a sleeve telescoping over thesupporting mein- JOHN FRANCIS MCGUIRE ber and having a longitudinal slottherein, Witnesses: a brace secured to the boiler and support- FREDAMMONS, ing member and passing through the said WM. Voo'r, Jr.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for live cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of latents,

' Washington, D. 0.

